Australian actor Mel Gibson believes his portrayal of William Wallace inspired the Scottish people

The Hollywood star, who played 13th century Scottish warrior William Wallace in the 1995 film, said that the decision to devolve powers to Holyrood had been a "good thing" for Scotland.

But Gibson, 61, did not reveal whether he backed Scottish independence, saying he did not comment on the politics of other countries.

In an interview with the Press Association, Gibson said of Braveheart: "It certainly woke something up there in Scotland. I know they achieved partial autonomy for that and I think it was a good thing.

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Pro-Union supporters celebrate as Scottish referendum polling results are announced at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 19, 2014

Gibson described Wallace as a "butcher" but said he saw similarities in Second World War hero Desmond Doss, the subject of his latest film Hacksaw Ridge.

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Gibson then compared the Scottish hero to the protagonist of his new film, Hacksaw Ridge

Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive America's Medal of Honour after saving the lives of 75 men on a Japanese battlefield without carrying a gun.

"They're both men of conviction who were willing to die for what they believed," Gibson said.

"But Desmond was the pacifist, he wouldn't take another life, whereas Wallace was a butcher. He'd light people on fire.

"Desmond was far more evolved in solving the world's problems."

Hacksaw Ridge, which is up for five Baftas next month, marked Gibson's return to directing for the first time in a decade following a string of controversies in recent years including his controversial anti-Semitic rant in 2006.

The Lethal Weapon actor said he decided to return to work as a director because Hacksaw Ridge was a "story well worth telling".

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Hacksaw Ridge marks Gibson's return to directing after a decade of controversies

"It's a war film but it's beyond that, it's a love story," he said.

"It's a man who goes to war with his core belief – love. He wants to help others and he considers others more important than himself. So in that way he's selfless, he sacrifices and he surely did.

"He saved many and the inspirational aspect of the story is huge so why wouldn't I tell a story like that? It's the pinnacle of heroism."